Best air cooled reflector?

[Papa canna]

I am in the market to upgrade reflectors, I want to go to 1000 watts up from 600. But I'm having a hard time settling on a hood. I have read a few other threads and some studies, but I want to know what you guys think. Leaning towards the blockbuster, but I'm not sure. 9 plants in about a 5x5 area at the largest if that helps

 

[RedBeardy5]

I'm personally a fan of wider hoods such as the raptor. I put a light spreader on and keep the hood close as possible.

 

[acio88]

for me best one is Prima klima air cooled reflector

 

[mufinman]

call hydrogrow and ask them for a catalog, maybe their site on the net?. Good research point.

 

[Vanilla Phoenix]

I use a Magnum XXL reflector with a light spreader, like Redbeardy suggested. Raptor is a very similar reflector.

 

[Speed of green]

I have (4) blockbuster 8" hoods 1000w. For the $ i think they are really well made, the seal is excellent and i can cool my whole room with one 1200 cfm max fan in the cooler months. They have a perfect 4x4 footprint.

If i wasn't hooked on vertical i would definitely buy more..

I can't comment on the raptor or other hoods, i used adjustable wings in the past. If you are growing over 4x4 or 4x8 trays i say go for it, if you have custom trays or are trying to light a larger area i think the bigger hoods could work.

good luck

 

[RedBeardy5]

vanilla Phoenix- I thought I was the only one that used the super speader on an aircooled hood.. works awesome

 

[EastCoast710]

have either of you tried without the spreader lol. those spreaders are a joke

 

[Vanilla Phoenix]

have either of you tried without the spreader lol. those spreaders are a joke

A spreader does ok in my setup. You still have the hot spot directly below the lamp, but it's not quite as intense. Definitely not a cure all. But it really helps to fine tune things if you are dialed in with your environment.

I notice I get bleaching a lot more without it. Every little bit helps when growing in small tents.

 

[RedBeardy5]

I have run hoods without the spreader, but cant get the hood right down onto the buds. So for my setup its not a joke, works awesome and I recommend it.

 

[OranguTrump]

I have 6" cooltube - love it. As long as there's airflow, plants can get right next to it w/o burning.

 

[Rondon]

I have run hoods without the spreader, but cant get the hood right down onto the buds. So for my setup its not a joke, works awesome and I recommend it.

I wouldnt want the hood right down on my buds personally. I try to keep.a good 2 feet with single ended mogul socket bulbs. With double ended bulbs...much much higher. I ditched air cooled with ducting..fans and glass years ago. And soon after..ditched mogul socket bulbs. Cool the room...not the lamp. Get the PAR and lumens your paying for on your canopy where it belongs. A closet or tent grower with one or two lamps is one thing...the only instance where i suggest air cooled hoods. Bigger growers....Gavita or Nanolux or E Papillon for the win. Of course a mini split and santa fe type dehuey is pretty much mandatory.

 

[AppliedScience]

The newest XXXL hoods seem pretty well designed for single ended air cooled hoods and if you're in a rec state, they're really easy to find used.

 

[BigFoote]

+1 for the Magnum XXL, I saw an increase in yield. The light seems to be spread more, but I wouldnt use less than a 1K.